KUALA LUMPUR – Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming sees no issue with the government acquiring knowledge on social housing projects from neighbouring countries when Malaysia has for decades learned about social and economic development from former coloniser Japan.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat today, Nga (Teluk Intan-PH) said the government will always have an open mind about learning from others, and knowledge and experience sharing as long as it is beneficial to the public.
He said this in response to questions from Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (Setiu-PN) about the government’s proposed knowledge-sharing session with Singapore’s Housing and Development Board (HDB) on affordable housing management.
“We can be poor in wealth, but don’t be poor in mind. The government will always learn, not just from HDB, but from other countries,” he said in the lower House today.
“For example, we were once colonised by Japan, but this year marks the 41st year of the Look East Policy. If we can learn from a former coloniser, what’s wrong with learning from our successful Asean neighbours like Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand?
“The most important thing is what is best for the people. Our stand is we must never stop learning, because when a country stops learning, it will cease to progress.”
Shaharizukirnain had, among others, questioned the rationale behind the government’s decision to rope in experts from Singapore when Malaysia already has its own town planning experts.
He also asked if the Malays here would then be able to purchase houses that are inspired by HDB, considering the majority race are largely individuals from lower and middle-income households.
Nga, however, maintained that any policy drawn up by the government would be for the benefit of all Malaysians, including the Bumiputeras.
Earlier, the minister had said that knowledge sharing on issues concerning social housing projects is not new, pointing out how former administrations had similarly learned from South Korea and Australia, among others.
In fact, he revealed that engagements with Singapore’s HDB had also begun as early as 2018.
Separately, Nga noted how HDB had received multiple international recognitions over the years, including landscape architecture, design and public sector transformation.
“Knowledge sharing sessions will give the ministry the opportunity to review and look into new perspectives as well as learn from best practices.” – The Vibes, February 23, 2023
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